Traveling dam



J. E. MELIN TRAVELING DAM Oct. 20, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet I Filed Feb. 15, 1961 INVENTOR; 1 Jam/ 5.41am

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J. E. MELlN TRAVELING DAM Oct. 20, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fil ed Feb. 15, 1961 INVENTOR. (lo/IN E. Ma /v BY M Arron/5Y5 J. E. MELlN TRAVELING DAM Oct. 20, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 15, 1961 United States Patent 3,153,330 TRAVELING DAM John E. Melin, 316 N. th St, Livingston, Mont, assignor of fifty percent to Otto Melin, Livingston, Mont. Fiied Feb. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 89,482 1 Claim. (Cl. 61-29) This invention relates to a steering mechanism, and has particular applicability to a steering mechanism which will automatically guide an apparatus, such as a portable dam along an irrigation ditch in aligned relation therewith, regardless of the contour of the ditch.

An additional object of the invention is the provision, in association with such a portable dam of a pivoted extending pilot which actuates an automatic clutch mechanism, in accordance with the contour of the ditch to direct the dam in the direction of a curvature of the ditch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is pivotally mounted for vertical movement in order to adapt itself to the depth or contour of the ditch vertically.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device which will serve automatically to direct and guide an apparatus, such as a portable dam along the contour of an irregular line such as a ditch, or other irregular depression, the apparatus being provided with wheels or tracks which are adapted to travel in the opposite banks of the ditch.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an automatically actuated steering mechanism of this character which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and utilize.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one illustrative embodiment of a portable dam showing the steering mechanism of the instant invention in association therewith, alternative positions or adjustment being indicated in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one form of clutch mechanism adapted to be employed with the mechanism of the instant invention.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top plan View of an operative portion of the mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of FIG. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a constructional detail.

FIGURE 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing a slightly modified form of construction.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at 10 an illustrative form of portable dam construction which comprises a frame including a top plate 11, beneath which are supported axles l2 and 13 which carry drive wheels 14 and 15, respectively. The drive wheels' may either be used independently, or may serve as a support for an endless belt 16, in which case an idler wheel 17 is provided on a suitable depend- 3,153,330 Patented Get. 20, 1964 ing support 18. A suitable source of power such as a gasoline motor 19 is mounted on frame plate 11, and includes a drive shaft contained in a housing 20, which through a suitable transmission 21 drives a shaft 22, the latter in turn driving an axle 23 through suitable gearing, of any desired conventional type, contained in a housing 24. Axle 23 is supported in suitable mounting brackets 25 on plate 11 and is provided at either end with a clutch mechanism, generally indicated at 26, and to be more fully described hereinafter. A driving sprocket or pulley 27 is provided at each end of axle 23, and through a belt 28 is adapted to drive a pulley or sprocket 29 which is carried by drive axle 12. The arrangement is such that either clutch mechanism 26 may be selectively engaged or disengaged, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter so that either track or belt 16 may be de-energized in order to elfect the steering of the frame.

The portable darn structure may be of any desired conventional type, and in the illustrative embodiment shown, includes an axle 3i) which extends between two rearwardly extending projections 31 at the rear end of frame plate 11, the axle 30 carrying a suitable flexible dam member 32 of conventional configuration which engages the bottom of the ditch D to dam the flow of water at a particular position along the ditch, the dam traveling at a desired rate of speed, to retard the fiow of water at predetermined localities for a predetermined interval.

The clutch mechanisms 26 are substantially identical but are oppositely disposed, and. comprise a pair of confronting clutch plates or discs 35 and 36, one of which is mounted on the axle Z3, and the other of which is carried by a sleeve 37 which in turn carries the drive pulley 27. Clutch plate 35 has integrally associated therewith a sleeve 38 which carries a flange 39. A fork 40 comprising an integral portion of a lever arm 41 extends between flange 39 and clutch plate 35. Lever arm 41 is pivotally mounted as on a pivot 42 on frame plate 11, and is adapted for horizontal pivotal movement. Obviously, such pivotal movement of fork 40 will engage either plate 35 or flange 39 to move plate 35 into or out of engagement with clutch plate 36, and consequently actuate or deactuate its associated drive pulley 27.

If desired, a brake may be applied to plate 36 upon pivoting of lever arm 41 by means of an arm 43 connected as at 42a to arm 41, and including an extension 44 which carries an arcuate brake shoe 45, secured thereto by means of a bolt 46, the arcuate brake shoe engaging the outer side of clutch plate 36 so that in the event of radical turns, braking is actually applied to the wheel or track simultaneously with clutch release. A bolt 47 pivoted as at 48 to lever arm 41 engages through portion 43 for adjustment thereof by means of a nut 49.

The arrangement is thus such that pivotal movement of lever arm 41 will move the clutch plates 35 and 36 in opposite directions.

The end of lever arm 41 opposite fork 40 is pivotally connected as by means of a pivot pin 50 to a transverse operating rod 51, the opposite end of which includes a bifurcated member 52, each bifurcation of which carries a slot 53 which engages about a pin 54, there being two pins 54 provided, in transverse alignment on opposite sides of a steering plate or bar 55. Plate 55 is pivotally mounted as by means of a pivot 56 on frame plate 11, and is adapted to be swung in a horizontal plane about pivot 56, such swinging movement obviously, when moved out of central position, disengaging one pair of clutch plates 35 and 36 while leaving the other engaged, thus effecting a drive of the corresponding mechanism'on that side.

A stop bracket 57 may, if desired, be mounted on the forward portion of frame palte 11 overlying plate 55 to limit horizontal pivotal movement of plate 55, and a supporting plate 58 may also be provided to maintain plate 55 in horizontal alignment with the frame.

At the forward end of plate 55 there are provided a pair of oppositely disposed lugs which carry a pivot 60 upon which is mounted a pilot bar 61 which extends forwardly of the frame, and carries at its outer end a U- shaped pilot 62 which carries a pair of hinge pins 63 at its opposite ends upon which are mounted laterally projecting wings or plates 64, the latter being adapted to engage the sides of the ditch D for guide purposes. Means for adjusting the wing 64 are provided and take the form of rods 65 pivoted as at 66 to lugs 67 carried by the inner sides of the wings 64. Each rod 65 is provided with a plurality of openings or holes 68 which are adapted to be selectively engaged by a pin 69 passed through a central bore'or opening in bar 61.

A tow hitch 70 may, if desired, be carried by the forward end of pilot bar 61.

From the foregoing the use and operation of the device should now be readily apparent. The portable dam is positioned, as shown in FIG. 2, in straddling relation over an irrigation ditch D, the wings 64 are suitably adjusted in accordance with the width of the ditch, and pilot member 62 lowered to, the position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 in contacting position with the bottom of the ditch, the wings 64 being positioned so as to engage the sides of the ditch.

Motor 19 is now started, and the dam 32 is lowered into operative position to restrict the flow of water through the ditch. As the apparatus moves slowly along the ditch, pilot 62 follows the vertical contour of the ditch and simultaneously the horizontal contour, causing pivotal movement of plate 55 about its pivot 56. Such pivotal movement selectively deenergizes one of the clutch members 26 to stop the driving effect on that side of the vehicle, while the other track or wheel continues to drive, thus effecting a turning of the darn in accordance with the curvature of the ditch.

FIGURE 9 discloses a slightly modified form of steering arrangement, which may be employed in a tracked vehicle when propulsion is effected through a forward axle carrying sprockets for driving belts or the like.

Many of the component parts of the structure of FIG. 9 are identical with those of the modification disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2, and similar reference characters will be applied thereto. The modification of FIG. 9 dilfers from that of FIG. 2 primarily in the fact that motor 19 transmits power through shaft 22 directly to transmission 24 which is centrally mounted on axle 23. Clutches 26 identical to those previously disclosed are carried by opposite ends of axle 23, and are actuated by angularly disposed operating rods 51a which carry yokes 52a slotted as 'at 53a to engage pins 54a carried by a plate 55a. Plate 55a is pivotally mounted on a pivot 56a, which is positioned, in this instance, at the rear end of the plate rearwardly of the pins 54a, so that movement of plate 55a actuates rods 51a to energize the clutches 26 in a manner substantially identical to that previously described.

The drive in this modification is effected through belts or chains 28a, which engage sprockets 29a carried by a forward drive axle 13a, the latter serving to energize suit able sprockets which in turn drive the tracks 18. The pilot arrangement is identical to that of the previously described modification, as is the dam per se.

The operation of this modification is substantially identical to that previously described.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved steering mechanism which is particularly adaptable to the automatic steering of portable irrigation dams adapted to straddle irrigation ditches and move therealong, which effectively steers the portable dam in accordance with the contour of the ditch, and which accomplishes all of the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

A traveling darn comprising a mobile frame having opposed sides, a forward end, and a rearward end, a flexible dam member dependingly carried by said frame outwardly of said rearward end, said flexible darn member being adapted to block water in an irrigation ditch when said frame straddles the ditch, a driving member carried by each of the opposed sides of said frame, individual clutch means for each of said driving members, a pilot carried by the forward end of said frame and adapted to follow the contour of the ditch, and an operative connection between said pilot and said clutch means selectively to engage and disengage said clutch means in response to relative movement between said frame and said pilot to guide said traveling dam in accordance with the contour of the ditch, said frame including a frame plate, and said operative connection between said frame plate and said pilot including an operating plate pivotally mounted for horizontal movement on said frame plate, said pilot comprising a forwardly extending bar substantially centrally disposed relative to said frame plate, a guide member at the forward end of said bar, said guide member comprising a U-shaped plate secured to said forwardly extending bar, a wing pivotally connected to each leg of said U- shaped plate, and means securing said wings in a selective position of pivoted adjustment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

